Ethan remained focused on his food, but the low murmur of a nearby conversation began drifting into his ears.
"Yes, we're in Ottawa now. The shipment should be arriving just about now," a voice spoke quietly.
Ethan turned his head slightly. Sitting at the adjacent table, back-to-back with him, was a man holding a phone to his ear.
At first, Ethan didn't pay it much mind—until the man added, "Everything will be imported to that branch soon."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly at the word branch, but he quickly dismissed it. High-society events were filled with corporate talk.
The man continued whispering into his receiver. "Yes, I spoke to the boss. Whenever the shipment arrives, we just hand it over and collect our payment. That's it."
Ethan picked up his plate to head toward the tray station, but the man's next words froze him in his tracks.
"...I'm not entirely sure, but I believe it's somewhere near a ruined city."
Ethan's gaze locked onto the man's back. Somewhere near a ruined city...?
Deciding to play it cool, Ethan stepped away, blending into the crowd while keeping his eyes glued on the stranger.
The man ended his call and casually finished his food before standing up to return his plate. Suddenly, his wrist vibrated with a faint blue glow. It was a high-tech smartwatch mirroring his mobile notifications:
Hey. The shipment is here. Go check on it and handle the payment.
While Ethan couldn't see the phone screen, the illuminated watch face on the man's wrist was completely visible from his angle.
The watch glowed again as a incoming reply was sent:
"Okay, I'm on it."
Ethan offered a faint, grim smirk. Smartwatch mirrored to the phone. Convenient.
Another message flashed across the screen: Sign the contract, count the money, and don't forget to grab your badge.
The man typed a quick response:
Understood.
Scanning his surroundings nervously, the stranger slipped out toward the exit. Ethan trailed him at a discreet distance, keeping low. As the man crossed the lobby corridor, he gave a subtle nod to a figure standing near the pillar.
Ethan's eyes widened. He recognized that face instantly—it was John Levi, the operational head of Loop.
Fortunately, John Levi was busy scanning the main floor and didn't notice Ethan slipping past.
Up on the VIP balcony, Madison spotted Ethan's sudden, secretive movement from across the hall. Her brow furrowed with concern.
"Princess, please excuse me for a moment. I'll be right back," Madison said, standing up.
Princess Victoria looked up, noticing the sudden shift in Madison's posture. "Madison? Is something bothering you? You can tell me."
Madison offered a gentle smile, shaking her head. "Thank you, but it's nothing to worry about."
She quickly made her way down the grand staircase. Victoria hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow her down.
Out in the courtyard, Ethan pushed through the glass doors, scanning the private parking grounds just in time to see the suspicious man hop onto a sleek motorcycle and rev the engine.
Damn it, I can't let him get away! Ethan thought, looking around frantically.
Suddenly, a metallic clink cut through the air as a pair of keys flew through the night sky. Ethan caught them on pure instinct.
He turned his head toward the side bench, where a young man sat casually, pointing toward a high-performance sport bike parked a few paces away.
Before Ethan could even ask, the young man spoke smoothly. "Looks like you've got something important to handle. Go."
Ethan nodded sharply, striding over and mounting the bike. "What's your name?"
"Hayato Yamamoto."
Ethan turned the key, the engine roaring to life. "Thanks, Mr. Hayato. I owe you one."
The bike slammed into gear, tearing out of the courtyard in a cloud of smoke.
A split second later, Madison burst through the exterior doors, scanning the empty driveway in confusion.
Hayato watched her from his bench, raising an eyebrow. What is this, Tom and Jerry? First the guy, now the girl?
Before Madison could process the scene, Princess Victoria stepped out behind her.
Hayato's eyes went wide. Wait... who on earth was that fellow?
"Madison?" Victoria called out gently.
Madison turned around, surprised. "Princess? You came outside?"
"You looked like something was wrong," Victoria reasoned warmly. "We're friends, Madison, and friends help each other."
Madison gave a grateful nod.
As they stood there, Shisui walked up to the bench, looking around in utter confusion. "Hayato... where the hell is my bike?"
"Your bike?" Hayato asked innocently. "Oh, someone just borrowed it."
Shisui blinked, his jaw dropping. "Borrowed it?!"
"Where were you anyway?" Hayato redirected smoothly.
"I was looking for a place to stay! I parked it right here so nobody would touch it!" Shisui grumbled.
Hayato patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't sweat it, man. When we get back to Japan, you can ride mine."
Shisui looked at Hayato. As Hayato smirked...
Meanwhile, Madison turned to Victoria, lowering her voice. "It's my friend, Ethan. He rushed out all of a sudden. I think he spotted someone... or something."
Victoria nodded gravely.
Heavy, quiet footsteps echoed from behind them. Both girls turned to see Jake stepping out from the shadowed doorway, calmly wiping his hands with a white handkerchief.
Madison stared at him, her expression hardening with unspoken suspicion.
"Your brother is here," Victoria noted softly. "You can tell him."
Madison forced her facial expressions into check, stepping closer to Jake. "What did you just do?" she whispered under her breath, a sting of anger in her voice.
Jake remained completely stoic, folding his handkerchief away. "What happened?"
"Where is Ethan?" Madison hissed.
"Last time I remember, he was inside the hall with you," Jake replied, his tone perfectly even.
Madison searched his unreadable eyes, her mind racing. "He walked out, suddenly."
Jake offered a single, calm nod. "Stay here with the Princess. I will look into it."
"Wait, where are you—" Madison started, but Jake had already turned, vanishing back into the shadows of the venue.
Victoria walked back over. "What did he say?"
Madison replied, "He said he'll will look into it."
Victoria smiled, reassured. "Well, shall we head back inside then?"
Madison nodded hesitantly, letting the Princess lead the way back to the grand hall.
Is Jake really not involved in this...? Madison wondered, the seed of doubt growing deeper.